Constructive criticism is under-rated.
We can’t progress if we only hear the good stuff, but I think criticism should also come with acknowledgment when progress has been made.
Earlier this year, the Singapore Exchange (SGX) was reportedly in talks with at least five companies from mainland China or Hong Kong to replenish its pipeline after a spate of delistings. This reminded me of the “S-chip” accounting scandal more than a decade ago, when a string of Singapore-listed Chinese companies damaged the trust of retail investors.
“Rather than casting the net wide to catch a bunch of minnows, it might be better to focus on a quality fish that can grow bigger and attract others to Singapore waters. Otherwise, history risks repeating itself,” I wrote on 19 May 2025.
Now, the outlook for SGX has turned brighter after the city-state went all out to boost its equity market. Singapore reportedly overtook London on the list of the world’s top 20 initial public offering (IPO) destinations.
Four companies are also preparing to launch IPOs in Singapore, following the listings of NTT DC REIT, which is backed by Japan’s NTT Group, and US cybersecurity firm AvePoint.
In other news, India and China will resume direct flights after a five-year freeze, while most of the staff behind Singapore private club 1880 – which went bust in June – had set up a new shop with the backing of its landlord.
📈 Singapore Swing
Listing momentum is building on SGX, with a spike in interest from local and regional companies. Singapore also jumped to 9th place on a Bloomberg ranking of the world’s busiest IPO markets after raising USD 1.44 billion this year.
🤝 India-China Thaw
India and China will restart direct flights this month, taking another step towards normalizing bilateral ties. There have been no direct flights between the two countries since 2020, following deadly clashes on their shared Himalayan border.
🥂 1880 Reborn
A new private club called The Nanson took over the premises of its predecessor, 1880, at Singapore’s Robertson Quay. The new club will be run by the majority of the team behind 1880, without the involvement of its founders.
💼🎞️ Brief Take: Reality Bites for 1880 (21 June 2025)
📒 Quick Take: The Aftermath of 1880’s Collapse (24 June 2025)
🖼️ Singapore Postcard
I watched the “fly past” during Singapore’s National Day Parade from the Supply & Demand rooftop bar at Esplanade.
